Stephen J. Cannell, Rockford Files and A-Team Creator, Dies at 69
Stephen J. Cannell
Prolific writer and producer Stephen J. Cannell, who created such shows as The Rockford Files and The A-Team, has died. He was 69.
Cannell died from complications associated with melanoma in his Pasadena, Calif., home on Thursday, The Associated Press reports.
Cannell got his start as a story editor on the cop drama Adam-12. He went on to create and co-create nearly 40 television series, including The Rockford Files, The A-Team, 21 Jump Street and The Commish.
See other celebrities who died in 2010
In recent years, Cannell turned his focus from television to novels and published 16 books.
The Los Angeles native was also an occasional actor and had a recurring role on ABC's Castle.
Cannell was married to his high school sweetheart, Marcia. The couple had two daughters, Tawnia and Chelsea, and a son, Cody. Their firsborn, Derek, died at the age of 15 in 1981.